Fans celebrate historic run for Phenix City Little League team

Fans showed up in droves to celebrate the Phenix City All-Stars historic run in the Little League World Series Monday night. The ceremony was held at Idle Hour Park baseball fields where the team appeared to soak up accolades from fans across the Chattahoochee Valley that included Phenix City Mayor Eddie Lowe and Alabama State Representative Chris Blackshear to name a few.

The Phenix City 12U All-Stars advanced to the final four teams in Williamsport, PA before their elimination from the series. Phenix City returned to the biggest stage in Little League baseball for the first time in nearly three decades and they did it with the help from the same Rasmus family that led the 1999 team to the National Championship. Team manager Cory Rasmus played for that team and helped coach his daughter Kinley Rasmus into the record books at Lamade Stadium.

Cory Rasmus told the crowd, “These jokers made their mark on the world not just the Southeast.” The team made national headlines and appeared on ESPN and Good Morning America to name a few. Cory’s 12-year-old daughter Kinley Rasmus made history with most strikeouts and most hits by a girl during the LLWS. Chants of “fear the bow” erupted from the crowd, the team’s signature slogan referencing Kinley’s hair bow now enshrined at the Little League Museum.

Kinley Rasmus addressed the fans saying “Thank you for all the support. I really appreciate it.” Each of her fellow teammates took the opportunity to speak directly to the crowd. The little leaguers had few but meaningful words on the big stage most of them offering gratitude to the community ending with “Go Southeast”.

Coach Case Rasmus noted this was a grand finale for a core group of the team who have played together since they were 7 years old. “Every one of these kids will always hold a special place in my heart because of the memories they gave me over the years as their coach. More than anything, I hope when they look back on their days playing Phenix City Youth Baseball, they remember how much fun they had, the friendships they made, the lessons they learned, and the people who believed in them,” Rasmus shared on social media.